Ultra…

Today is a short post. I wanted to share with you another first. Tony and Molli had a new game plan today. So it was ultimately a goodbye for the next few days.

Early on, the three of us had talked about doing a 30 mile day. It would be the furthest distance any of us had completed on foot in a single day. We contemplated it for several days but let it go when Molli started suffering with injury.

Today, the stars aligned. The last several days have been shorter distances and I have felt reasonably rested. Today the Brierly guide called for a 13.3 mile day, followed by a 17.7 mile day tomorrow. I didn’t really want a short day as I have become rather bored with the scenery. There are only so many wheat fields and roads you can look at.

while at breakfast I reviewed the guide to see if there was a town within a few miles of the anticipated stopping point for the day. In fact, there was a town about 7 km away. Another 4 miles. So a 17.5 mile day. Not to bad. Then it dawned on me, if I hiked to Astorga, I would have a 31 mile day. The plan was set. Make haste for Astorga.

Not being to full of myself, I set the caveat if I started feeling injury beyond just soreness, I would stop in the next town for the night.

The day was a good day for hiking. The weather up until the end was reasonably cool There were a couple long road walks that absolutely beat down my spirits, but I pushed on.

I started today at just after 6am I walked into Astorga at quarter past 4. Just over 10 hours, even with two stops for food and two other 5 minute rest breaks. In total I did 51km, or 31.6 miles. For those I went to school with, Silver City to Cliff. :-O

I suspect this PR will last awhile I don’t think I will easily surpass this in the future. As a side note, I just did my first ultra marathon distance. 50k is a standard distance beyond marathon distance and is the beginning of ultra marathon distances. So while it was not a sanctioned event. I hold my head high knowing I have completed my first ultra distance. I’m off to rest and recover. Short day tomorrow. Only 13 miles, and I’m ok with that.